My “TK Show” conversation with Oscar De La Hoya: On Mayweather’s vulnerabilities and domestic-violence issues, Pacquiao’s “sting,” and much more

Oscar De La Hoya and I go way, way, way back–to his first days as a professional, not long after he won a gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

We’ve had our ups and downs through that period and haven’t spoken to each other very much in the last 15 years or so, but we know a lot of the same people, and from the moment I started this digital broadcast a few months ago I figured De La Hoya would be a natural great guest.

Also: Well, this happens to be a very large week for boxing–the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight is Saturday in Las Vegas, which not only will be the richest event in boxing history, it pits two future Hall of Famers who were probably at their best… when they fought De La Hoya in 2007 and 2008.

By the way, De La Hoya also was trained by each of the two trainers for this fight–Pacquiao’s Freddie Roach and Floyd’s father, Floyd Sr.

So it was great timing to get Oscar on the show today, and he broke down what Roach and Floyd Sr. will be telling each fighter, what it’s like to fight both of these guys, and what he could’ve done better against them.

Thought it was pretty telling that De La Hoya said he’s pretty sure he would’ve beaten Mayweather in 2007 if De La Hoya was a bit younger (he was 34 at the time)… but he didn’t say that about Pacquiao.

De La Hoya also cited Mayweather’s multiple domestic-violence incidents as one of the main reasons he doesn’t respect Mayweather very much.

I also asked De La Hoya about his “peak” fight–which one of his many huge bouts did he consider his greatest?

Also asked him about his most frustrating fight.

He also told me what I most wanted to know: Yes, he still has the $225 check I had to write him years ago when he beat me in a massive golf competition. Obviously one of his greatest athletic achievements. (/I’m kidding.)

–And what the hell, might as well toss in this book cover just for nostalgia’s sake: